Update from Tim Whitacre re lawsuit against OC GOP
Here is the latest update from Tim Whitacre regarding his lawsuit against the crooked leaders of the OC GOP who conspired to break their own rules on behalf of embattled OC Sheriff Mike Carona:
Dear Fellow Republican:
In the Carona finance disclosure that covered from June – Dec 2005, you will notice that Carona’s campaign gave the OCGOP $20,000. That’s a hefty sum for anyone to contribute.
Do you think there’s an expected quid pro quo (duh) for an endorsement??? Man, I would have loved to have been at the March meeting where Whitacre debated Carona and Carona failed to get the endorsement the first time.
No wonder the Carona yahoos played Al Gore politics for the shot at a re-vote – Carona had no intention of “giving” the GOP one dime.
I admire Whitacre for his stance. We all need to hope he wins this case. It’s good for everyone, regardless of party affiliation.
Disgusted Republican,
I agree with your analysis. I am not a Republican, yet believe the voting was wrong and should not have been conducted but do you think Tim would be making all these efforts had the endorsement gone to Hunt, and Hunt was asking for a recount?
Just a thought.
Dear Luis,
Hunt was never seeking the Cenral Comm. vote. Tim made that very clear the night of the vote. In fact, Hunt’s stand was that no endorsement should be given since there are 4 Rep.’s
Claudio, Art, et. al.: keep up the great postings. This is quickly becoming a must-read blog!
Luis,
To answer your question about Tim, yes, he would be making the same effort. The proof is from the get go, Tim was against endorsing anyone in this race, even his man, Lt. Bill Hunt.
In fact, at last month’s meeting where Carona got the re-vote, one of the other elected members made a motion to consider Hunt for endorsement and it was seconded. Tim was the first one to speak up against the motion and it failed by an almost unanimous vote.
I know you don’t like Tim because he spanked your boy, Nativo Lopez, real hard in the recall, but one thing I can tell you (and he’s proving it), Tim is consistent when it comes to going after corrupt local elected politicians.
Look at the man now – he’s taking on the republican king makers in the county!
We should do everything we can to support him in getting rid of Carona. That is of course, unless you like Nativo Lopez and want to thank Carona for supporting him twice…
Anon,
Your points are very well taken and could certainly join a ship leading the charge against corruption.
Unfortunately, my personal encounters with Tim, reflect a different story of his consistency against corruption, but lets not get into that. He should definately be applauded in this specific situation.
Hunt was never seeking the Rep. Central. Comm endorsement.
Tim was against endorsing anyone in this race, even his man, Lt. Bill Hunt.
I don’t mean this as a slam against Hunt or Whitacre, but we should be honest with ourselves and recognize that asking for “no endorsement” is generally only done by someone who’s dealing from a position of weakness. The likely winner of the endorsement doesn’t ask for “no endorsement.”
I suppose there are times when a candidate in a position of strength agrees not to seek an endorsement for the sake of party unity, but I’d guess it’s fairly rare.
Gustavo,
Thanks! And thank you to the entire team here at the Orange Juice. Our readership has doubled since I brought you all on board. Thanks also to all our readers – particularly those of you who take the time to add your own comments to the mix.
Tim’s lawsuit is nothing more than a gimmick. He’s adept at being the grand manipulator and for $3K he’s gotten some decent ink.
Tim’s lawsuit is so much more than just a “gimmick.” It is something a lot of us should do more often in regards to out of control leadership by elected officials at all levels of government.
If more “leaders” were held accountable in this way, we would have as close to honest government as possible because of the knowledge that the voters are paying very close attention to the actions of officials.
Lastly, I don’t believe Tim is an independently wealthy man and $3,000 dollars is a lot to put up for most people. I would like to know how to contact him so that I could send him $100 towards the bill. Can anyone help me?
Gila, I believe Tim not wanting an endorsement for anyone in the Sheriffs race had more to following the by-laws than “dealing from a position of weakness,” as you suggest. All you have to do is come to one or two GOP Central Committee meetings and you will see the way Tim conducts himself. He very much believes in the rule of law and has a great sense of fairness even when he is on the other side of an issue.
I remember, as a poster brought up in a posting last month about Tim, that during the Recall of Nativo Lopez, Tim drove around the city and gave water and snacks not just to his troops, but to all who were thirsty or hungry from Nativo’s side as well. It’s just the way he is.
I have to agree with Claudio that Martin is the best candidate for Sheriff of OC.
For the past several weeks, Martin has been quietly picking up votes from club meetings to Laguna Woods. His stance on immigration is more sound and he doesn’t seem to run to the “right” when speaking in front of them.
Although he called for Carona to resign, it is clear that he has stayed above the mudslinging and handles himself well in front of groups.
When it comes time to read the ballot statements, I hope OC voters give him a good look.
I think most of us Dems and those who simply want to see a fresh start for a disgruntled department, will vote for him.
Ralph Martin doesn’t have the endorsement of not even one professional law enforcement agency. In fact, a fellow L.A. County Deputy, Capt. Masse, a retired 30+ year veteran who is running for Sheriff of L.A. County, has endorsed Lt. Bill Hunt.
On top of that, Lt. Hunt is endorsed by other law enforecement agencies in Orange County. Additionally, Lt. Hunt has been making the rounds in Democrat circles as well and from what I can see, they too are overwhelmingly supportive of Lt. Hunt. Lastly, I know, respect and admire Tim Whitacre. No one else has been out there for so long trying to find this County a good candidate to replace Carona. He staunchly supports Lt. Bill Hunt and that’s good enough for me. I’m telling everyone I know to vote for Lt. Bill Hunt for Sheriff.
Oh you mean the Captain Masse who is running for LA Sheriff because “God told him to?” Well when he fails in his bid will he think God has turned against him?
No he is just another another zealot crackpot who is supporting Hunt…….likely so he can get Hunt’s endorsement!